Tie-in novels have length limits and are also written in a super compressed timeframe, even if you want to wax lyrical. Going into a deep-dive on some characters also may mean less room for other characters. Which sucks, because they love the same characters you love! Even doing your best to fulfill everyone’s wishes, you know you can’t: other people already love the communal space and the characters and you’re going to step on someone’s head-canons. You consult everyone possible before you do that, but if the creator/director/script writer/showrunner thinks you got it wrong, you fix it. Usually tie-in novels tie in with visual media, and one thing you really have an opportunity for is a deep dive on the characters, what motivates their actions, and the secrets of their past and hearts. I’m trying to use my own unique flair because I trust I was brought in for a reason, but it’s subject to approval. I think about my tie-in writing generally as a bit like being invited into a wonderful communal space, and being asked to decorate and transform some of the space into a new hang-out spot. (Though both of these ladies are great writers who make great narrative decisions!) We can make suggestions, but we are also open to re-direction on suggestions and when we receive a brief we act on it. Just like Claudia Gray doesn’t call all the Star Wars shots, and Leigh Bardugo doesn’t make the calls when it comes to Wonder Woman. I do want to stress when it comes to tie-in novels, while I do have a voice, ultimately it’s not up to me, and it shouldn’t be. And if these characters did star in Fence novels to come, they mightn’t necessarily be written by me. But also, any and all of these storylines could and would be executed brilliantly in the graphic novels. I also think Eugene Labao has the potential for his own book, and Dante and Bobby, and hey, a story set at Exton would be awesome. So do I think that Kally and Tanner could play a major role or a significant minor role in a Fence novel? Definitely they have the potential. I like Kally and Tanner a lot! Their devotion to each other is both tangled up with and what comes above fencing, and that’s beautiful, plus there’s family business, and that is my jam. What are your thoughts on Kally and Tanner from Fence? Would you ever include them in the traditional novels? 💕

Sarah rees brennan fence